This sentimental song from Puccini's only comic opera has achieved enormous popularity, which this imaginative arrangement by Carlo Martelli should boost considerably.
Puccini, Giacomo
Puccini arr. Martelli – Nessun Dorma from Turandot (String Quartet)
This famous aria, arranged by Carlo Martelli, is sung by Calaf in the final act of Puccini's final opera. In it he echoes the cries of Turandot's henchmen as they search for the one person who knows Calaf's name.
This well loved aria, arranged by Carlo Martelli, occurs towards the climax of the second act of La Bohème, when Musetta and her ex-lover Marcello are reunited.
Ponchielli, Amilcare
Ponchielli arr. Martelli – Dance of the Hours (String Quartet)
These dances, arranged by Carlo Martelli from the third act of Ponchielli's opera are, with those from Verdi's Aida, the most well know ballet music in all Italian opera. They occur during the celebrations accompanying Rudamess triumphant return to Egypt.
Horn Quartet
A Christmas favourite from the pen of the late and celebrated hornist Alan Civil.
Flute & Harp
Two liltingly romantic waltzes, the second marked Gently Swinging. The first is based on a short ballet sequence on Oscar Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose, composed for The Rose of Puddle Fratrum, an episode of the ITV childrens series Dramarama in the late 1970s. The work is an example of late twentieth century French-influenced romanticism, with a gentle jazz feeling in the second waltz and no reference whatsoever to modernist musical trends. It is extremely grateful to play and always pleases audiences. For secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.
Two Portraits are musical pictures of the composer's erstwhile partner harpist Elizabeth Jane Baldry's sons, composed in 2003 when they were in their early teens. Edmund was serene, loving and spiritual, a cathedral chorister and sensitive harpist. Alex, also a chorister, was by contrast energetic and extrovert - a true bringer of joy and happiness, he played the French horn and was given to spontaneous jazz improvisations on the piano. The two movements are therefore contrasting melodic pieces, the first serene and lyrical with the opportunity for some legato playing, and the second unexpectedly lively and jazzy and a chance to let the musical hair down!
Violin, 'Cello & Harp
Though the composer had yet to pay his first visit to Italy, romanticized thoughts of the country pervaded his mind as he wrote Trio Romantico. Images of the Tuscan countryside shimmering in a haze of midsummer sun are conjured in the first movement Invocazione, a love of courtly Renaissance art inspired the antique dance-like nature of the Intermezzo, and the yearning feelings of the final Romanza are those of a composer never truly at home when not surrounded by ancient art and architecture. The premiere of Trio Romantico was given by Willemijn Steenbakkers (violin), Gemma Kost (‘cello) and Alexander Rider (harp) at the Sounds New 2010 Contemporary Music Festival held in Canterbury in May 2010.
String Quartet
Three Snippets for String Quartet is a short entertaining work and concert stocking-filler - lasting only 6½ minutes. Originally written for saxophone quartet, the three movements are: Flourish, a march-like fanfare with a suggestion of toy soldiers, a deeply-felt Love Song as an unexpectedly emotional core, and Dislocated Rag to finish with a smile - ragtime with recurring 7/8 bars thrown in to trip up the dancers! Dislocated Rag is based on the composer's music for the 1984 mystery film The Case of Marcel Duchamp about the famous French Dadaist artist.
String Orchestra
Paul Lewis – Three Snippets for String Orchestra (Set of Parts)
Your purchase will consist of the following set of Parts:
5 x 1st Violin 4 x 2nd Violin 3 x Viola 2 x 'Cello 1 x Double Bass Extra parts available on request Three Snippets for String Orchestra is a short entertaining work and concert stocking-filler - lasting only 6½ minutes. Originally written for saxophone quartet, the three movements are: Flourish, a march-like fanfare with a suggestion of toy soldiers, a deeply-felt Love Song as an unexpectedly emotional core, and Dislocated Rag to finish with a smile - ragtime with recurring 7/8 bars thrown in to trip up the dancers! Dislocated Rag is based on the composer's music for the 1984 mystery film The Case of Marcel Duchamp about the famous French Dadaist artist.
String Orchestra
Paul Lewis – Three Snippets for String Orchestra (Full Score)
Three Snippets for String Orchestra is a short entertaining work and concert stocking-filler - lasting only 6½ minutes. Originally written for saxophone quartet, the three movements are: Flourish, a march-like fanfare with a suggestion of toy soldiers, a deeply-felt Love Song as an unexpectedly emotional core, and Dislocated Rag to finish with a smile - ragtime with recurring 7/8 bars thrown in to trip up the dancers! Dislocated Rag is based on the composer's music for the 1984 mystery film The Case of Marcel Duchamp about the famous French Dadaist artist.
Saxophone Quartet
Three Snippets for Four Saxes is a short entertaining work and concert stocking-filler - lasting only 6½ minutes. The three movements are: Flourish, a march-like fanfare with a suggestion of toy soldiers, a deeply felt Love Song as an unexpectedly emotional core, and Dislocated Rag to finish with a smile - ragtime with recurring 7/8 bars thrown in to trip up the dancers! Dislocated Rag is based on the composer's music for the 1984 mystery film The Case of Marcel Duchamp about the famous French Dadaist artist. Dedicated to The Fairer Sax, an all female quartet who gave the work its first performance in 1987 at the Marlborough Arts Festival, this piece makes for an entertaining addition to the saxophone quartet repertoire.
Many professionals have said what a brilliant idea it is to have an unaccompanied work showcasing the different characteristics of the concert flute, alto flute and piccolo, yet playable entirely on flute for those without the other instruments. Dedicated to Rachel Smith it is a fun work with good contrasts. Three Flute Diversions is included on Rachel Smith's debut CD Summer Was in August, released in January 2006 - the CD can be purchased for £10 (incl. P&P) from Rachel by writing to her on rachel@rachelsmithflute.co.uk
A versatile piece for flute or harmonica with piano and optional 'cello, this is also a useful and worthwhile addition to the flute, 'cello and piano repertoire, as being a happy piece and audience friendly it makes for a good contrast to other works for this ensemble. Originally written for the harmonica, for which it is a substantial showpiece, the work uses the whole range of the flute and displays the player's versatility. For teaching studios, colleges, conservatories, libraries and professionals.
A substantial work by Paul Lewis to display lyrical style with a quicker middle section. Suitable for students and professionals.
Flute, 'Cello & Piano
Paul Lewis – Retrospective Family Portraits (Flute, ‘Cello & Piano)
Retrospective Family Portraits, written in 2002, four and a half years after the composer and his former wife parted company, is a deeply felt work. Lyrical and joyful but with an emotional sting in the tail, it is idiomatically written for the three instruments in the composer's usual Anglo-French melodic style. The three movements are: Kim - the family dog - a white Boxer, pictured galumphing along Somerset country lanes before taking off across the fields in joyful pursuit of rabbits and moles, finally returning home to sink exhausted into her basket. Geneviève - the composer's former wife - French, blonde, gracious, artistic and a wonderful cook, though not without her more enigmatic moments. Rowena - the composer's daughter - memories of the young Rowena on happy holidays in France pervade the music until, without warning, the mood changes towards the end; composer and daughter had not met since the family break-up four and a half years previously, and the music calls out Rowena's name into the distance, as did the composer's heart. The premiere took place as part of the 2002 Brighton Festival Fringe, and was performed by the Hilser Trio with Rachel Smith on flute, Rachel Firmager on 'Cello and Yoko Ono on Piano.
Flute & Piano
This work, consisting of four melodic pieces inspired by the infant children of friends of the composer, is in an uncomplicatedly melodic style being evocative of the innocence of childhood, and is very pleasing to perform and to listen to. Lullaby for Laura did its job when, on hearing it for the first time, Laura fell asleep in her mother's arms. Tallulah's Tune is based on the rhythm of her names. Poppy's Waltz was inspired by a neighbours little blonde girl in her garden, and Keris Mae was introduced to the composer in a playground, hence the playful nature of her piece. Premiered in London by Rachel Smith (a regular interpreter of Lewis's music) accompanied by Rachel Fryer on the 1st August 2005. Named as a finalist in the 2012 National Flute Association’s Newly Published Music Competition, Pictures of Childhood is for secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals. The first movement Lullaby for Laura was a Grade 6 Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exam piece between 2018 and 2021.
Oboe, Bassoon & Piano
Paul Lewis – Mélodies d’Aujourd’hui et d’Autrefois (Oboe, Bassoon & Piano)
Mélodie d’aujourd’hui (Melody of Today) is a blues-inspired piece in which the two solo instruments serenade one other in a soulful exchange. Mélodie d’autrefois (Melody of Yesteryear) is reminiscent of a heartfelt aria from a Bach cantata. The two solo instruments are here united in serene harmony, while the piano has a contrastingly impassioned central section of its own.
Bassoon & Piano
This 'Little Suite' shows the solo instrument in various moods: good-naturedly bucolic in 'Country Tune', nostalgically heartfelt in 'Lullaby', and dashingly debonair in the 'Waltz'. 'Country Tune' is an imaginary folk song reminiscent of 'Morris Dance' and of the Somerset countryside where the piece was composed. 'Lullaby' is in effect a retrospective lullaby, a final singing to sleep of the childhood of the composer's daughter, who had recently undergone that mysterious metamorphosis from child to fascinating young woman, which must have been a source of wonder to fathers since time began. The suite ends with a bravura 'Waltz', a favourite dance form of the composer's. For secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.
Clarinet & Piano
With duos for bass clarinet and piano being few and far between, this 'Little Suite' shows the solo instrument in various moods: good-naturedly bucolic in 'Country Tune', nostalgically heartfelt in 'Lullaby', and dashingly debonair in the 'Waltz'. 'Country Tune' is an imaginary folk song reminiscent of 'Morris Dance' and of the Somerset countryside where the piece was composed. 'Lullaby' is in effect a retrospective lullaby, a final singing to sleep of the childhood of the composer's daughter, who had recently undergone that mysterious metamorphosis from child to fascinating young woman, which must have been a source of wonder to fathers since time began. The suite ends with a bravura 'Waltz', a favourite dance form of the composer's. Premiered by the dedicatee, Verity Butler, accompanied by Jane Dodd, at Cheltenham Town Hall on the 22nd April 1997. For secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.
Flute & Piano
La Fille Aux Cheveux Dores (The Girl with the Golden Hair), composed by Paul Lewis and dedicated to Rachel Smith, is a study in extreme legato and breath control. It is sensuous, delicate, intimate and very French, and has the most gorgeous and romantic tune imaginable. Rachel Smith recorded this work in April 2012 on the CD The World of the Flute, released in 2013 by Polyphonic, QPRZ 029D.
This short lyrical piece was originally written for harmonica and harp. It is a free flow of musical thought on a simple melody, described by flautist Rachel Smith as "luscious", which develops by way of numerous key changes and embellishment.
A melodic and reflective miniature by Paul Lewis, giving the chance to display legato technique and the expressive possibilities of the instruments. Requires sensitivity of performance and use of rubato.
A melodic and reflective miniature by Paul Lewis, giving the chance to display legato technique and the expressive possibilities of the instruments. Requires sensitivity of performance and use of rubato.
Flute Duet
An unaccompanied work for two flutes, using the entire range of the instrument and many techniques such as flutter tonguing and triple tonguing. It stretches ensemble playing yet lies well beneath the fingers and is haunting and melodious. For schools, colleges, conservatories, libraries and professionals.
Flute, Viola & Harp
A happy work and full of Gallic charm. Many pieces for this combination are moody and introspective and so this can be a very good balancing work in a concert programme. It is fun to play and audiences love it. It is Paul Lewis' most popular and often played chamber work, and has been broadcast on Classic FM Radio and performed in concert by many trios including the world famous Nash Ensemble. For teaching studios, schools, colleges, conservatories, libraries and professionals.
Arrangements of Somerset folk songs to give them a new lease of life and introduce them to audiences who might never otherwise hear them. Very popular with audiences, its individual movements are useful as fillers or encores. Martock Jig and Langport March are also playable on Piccolo. It is a very direct and enjoyable work and is also versatile, with versions for flute, violin or harmonica with piano accompaniment. The original harmonica version is very idiomatically written by the composer, who was long associated with the late great virtuoso Tommy Reilly. It is folk material very well suited to the instrument. For teaching studios, conservatories, libraries, amateurs and professionals. The last movement of this work Langport March was a Trinity College London Grade 5 Exam Piece for Flute between 2007 and 2022.
Offenbach, Jacques
Offenbach arr. Martelli – Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann – (String Quartet)
This famous melody, from the Venetian scene in its composer's last opera, has a captivating charm that no amount of familiarity could ever dispel. The melody, arranged by Carlo Martelli, first appeared in a much earlier operetta called Die Rheinnixen but its universal fame dates from its use in The Tales of Hoffmann.
Viola & Piano
Norman expanded the woefully small viola repertoire by composing two Sonatinas for Viola and Piano to play in recitals with his brother - they are both tuneful works that are easy to listen to, while at the same time providing some technical problems for the player, which may commend them to proficient students and also for use in recitals. The first movement of Sonatina No. 2 is less demanding technically than that of the first sonatina, being more about phrasing and tone production. The player needs to be very aware of what is coming later, so as to grade the dynamics adequately. The second movement gives the opportunity to concentrate on making a beautiful sound and grading the dynamics with care. The viola starts the third movement on its own with the fugue subject, and so needs to be played with confidence as the way the music skips from string to string can be daunting. It is quite a difficult movement to bring off, but very satisfying nonetheless. For secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.
Viola & Piano
Norman expanded the woefully small viola repertoire by composing two Sonatinas for Viola and Piano to play in recitals with his brother - they are both tuneful works that are easy to listen to, while at the same time providing some technical problems for the player, which may commend them to proficient students and also for use in recitals. The first movement of Sonatina No. 1 makes use of the full range of the instrument, giving scope for both tone production and dexterity. The second movement provides a break between the more difficult first and third movements. The third movement is the most difficult technically and is more rhythmic in character than the other movements and calls for some bravura, although it ends quietly and gently. For secondary schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.